Cigarette holder



1954 L. 5. PELLETIER CIGARETTE HOLDER Filed April 1:5. 1950' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

1954 L. e. PELLETIER 2,693,193

CIGARETTE HOLDER Filed April 13, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

2 25a I f? wq United States Patent O CIGARETTE HOLDER Louis Gerard Pelletier, New York, N. Y.

Application April 13, 1950, Serial No. 155,667

' 2 Claims. (Cl. 131-182) This invention relates generally to smokers articles and more particularly to cigarette holders.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide novel and useful cigarette holders in which fresh air may be mixed with the smoke, to reduce the concentration thereof, and actual amount of smoke drawn in. Another object is to provide structure by which the ratio of air to smoke may be regulated. Another object herein is the provision of filter units which take out certain suspended materials from the smoke.

A feature of the invention is that these filters may be readily replaced.

the cigarette, but from which the cigarette may be conveniently ejected after use.

These objects and other features will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention in an open position thereof. 1

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 22 on Figure 1.

' Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding generally to Figure 1 but showing the device inthe closed position thereof.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 4-4 on Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of the body element with the filter element and sleeve element removed.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the body element of Figure 5 with the lower surface turned up.

Figure 7 is a view in perspective of an alternate form of filter element.

Figure 8 is a view in perspective of another formof filter element.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of another form' of filter element.

Figure 10 is a sectional view as seen from the plane 10-10 on Figure 7.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 1212 on Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 13-13 on Figure 12. v

Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the filter element and body element of the secondembodiment with the sleeve element removed.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention.

Turning to Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, the cigarette holder comprises broadly a body element 22, a sleeve element 24, and a filter element 26. The holder generally indicated by reference character has an effective external diameter of the cigarette 28, and being-relatively short n total length, may in use present the appearance shown 1n F1gure 11. Thus, when the exterior of the holder 20 is colored white, or to match the color of the exterior of the cigarette, the device may be comparatively inconspicuous. Even when the holder 20 is of acontrasting color it takes on more of the appearance of a tipped cigarette than of a separate device.

The body element 22 is generally in the form of a hollow cylinder having a front end 30, and a rear end 32, which is preferably outwardly flared at 34 to form the mouthpiece 36. The body element is preferably composed of a resilient material so that the mouthpiece 36 may be flexible between the users teeth and lips. Synthetic resins, or metal may be used.

The upper wall 38 has a cut-away portion defined by edge 40 and the substantially semi-cylindrical portion of the body element below the cut-away portion constitutes a support member 42 having side wall portions 44 and 46, theupper edges 48 and 50 of which are disposed more than half way up (are above the central longitudinal axis of the device). The transverse edge 52 forms a stop for the rear edge 54 of the cigarette 28. The upper wall 38 inwardly of the edge 52 is provided with an orifice 56 which is an internal air passage.

The lower wall 58 is provided with a groove 60 having a longitudinal portion 62 and a transverse portion 64. The groove 60 coacts with a projection 66 on the sleeve element 24 as will more fully appear.

The sleeve element 24 is preferably composed of a material which is heat. resistant, since the burning cigarette portion may contact it if the cigarette is by chance burned to its rear end. Where the body and sleeve elements are both composed of heat resistant materials, the cigarette may be consumed entirely. The sleeve element 24 is preferably composed of metal of such internal diameter as to have a sliding fit on the outer surface of the body element 22. The length of the sleeve element is preferably such that when it is in the retracted or rear position thereof, its front edge 68 lies inwardly of the edge 52, and

when it is in its forward or extended position it has sufiicient purchase on the body element. The top wall of the sleeve element has an opening 72, while the bottom wal has a projection 66 previously mentioned.

The filter element 26 is acylindrically shaped body composed of suitable materials, such as cotton fibers, paper, wood shavings or fibers, glass fibers, or similar spongy or foraminous substances. In this form, it may be soft, or it may be stiff like felt.

diameter which isonly slightly greater than the external V In use, the sleeve element 24 may be pulled forward until the projection 66 abuts against the forward edge of the transverse groove portion 64 where it intersects the longitudinal groove portion 62. In this position, the cigarette 28 is inserted until the edge 54 meets the edge 52 (said edges are shown spaced in Figures 1 and 3 for purposes of clarity inthe drawings). In this position of the parts, the orifices56 and 72 are disaligned (see Figure 2). In this way, the cigarette holder 20 may be used without the admission. of fresh air, only the filter element .26 effecting the. smoke drawn in through the mouthpiece 36. By turning the sleeve element 24 in a clockwise direction (Figure 2)v the opening72 may be brought into alignment with the orifice 56.. This forms passages-for the: admission of ambient air into the mixing chamber'74 provided forwardly of the front surface 76 of the filter element 26. At this time the projection 66 enters the transverse groove 64 so that the sleeve element is prevented from rearward movement.

By varying the rotated position of the sleeve element 24 with respect to the body element 22 the proportion of fresh air to smoke may be regulated bythe user.

When it is desired to eject the cigarette 28,..th'e sleeve element is returned so that the projection 66 aligns with the longitudinal portion 62 and moved rearwardly to the position shown on Figure 1. Here the cigarette may fall as indicated by the dot dash lines on Figure 1.

When it is desired to replace the filter element 26, another filter element may be inserted from the rear of the device by pressing against the rear surface 78. When the new filter takes the position shown on Figure 3, the used filter will have advanced forwardly sufliciently so thatit may -be manually removed. Since the filter element -is shorter "than the distance betweenthe flare 34 and the edge 52, the chamber 74 is pro v1ded.

In Figure 7, the filter element 26a is provided with a stiffened casing 27;: and .a vertically disposed channel 2511 igure This channel 25a permits the length of the :filter element .26a:fI1Om-1the;rear surface 78a to the front surface 76a to be :Of a length :suflicient so that the surface 76a may abut against the rear surface or edge 54 of the cigarette while the channel25a w ll form a mixing chamber through which the fresh air may be admitted and mixed with the'smoke. The filter element 26a ,is to be :Qriented in the sleeve so that the channel 25a is aligned with the opening56.

Figure 8 shows a rolled laminar type filter element 26b formed by rolling a single piece of planar filter material. The channel 25b may be formed either before or after the rolling operation and communicates with the surfaces 76band 78b through the spaces formed between the lamina upon the rolling operation.

Figure 9 shows a filter element 26c having a plurality .Of projections 230 at each end thereof which serve to space the rear end .54 of the cigarette away from the Orifices 56 and 72 so that the mixing chamber is provided. It is necessary that the circumferential width of the projections 23c be less than the diameter of the orifice 56 so that no matter how the cartridge filter is psitioned, an air passage is provided to the mixing chamber. The terminals of the projections thus act as an auxiliary rearstop for the cigarette edge if the cigarette rear edge should pass rearwardly of the edge 52. Furthermore with the longer type of filter cartridge, the used filter may be caused to drop from the cigarette holder without manually touching the same since the rear surface of the used filter cartridge will reach the edge 52 where .-the filter element is of-a length substantially equal to thedistance :between the edge 52 and the rear end 32. I

Turning now to .the second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures '11 to 14 inclusive, for the purpose of avoiding unnecessary repetition certain parts correspondingto those of the first embodiment-are given .the same reference characters with the addition of the prefix l.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment .principally 'in that the ,edge 152 is positioned rea'rwardlyo'f the .opening 172 so that the size of the orifice 172 is not adjustable except by rearward movement of the sleeve element 124. The filter element is provided with a rigid casing 127 which has a chamber forming projection 121 against which the rear end 154 v of the cigarette will abutso that .the opening 172 may not lie occluded and the chamber .174 will be maintaine In replacing.thefilterelement 126 the projection 121 serves to ,push the -,used filter element safely forward so that it may be dropped ,fromthe holder 120.

Jr is to be noted that inasmuch as the element 22 is cylindrical, and .is shown .as being circular in crosssection (see Figure 2.), the end of a-conventional cigarette which is likewise circular in cross-section, must be slightly jforced .in order .to fit in :the body portion ,30 (as shown on .Figure .1). .Owing to the fact that a conventional .,ciga rett,e ,is of a relatively soft and cornpressible material, no leakage occurs at this point when smoking the cigarette.

Turning now .to ,the third embodiment ',of the invention shown in Figure 15, here again certain of the parts corresponding to .the prior embodiments are given the same referencecharacters with the addition of the prefix 2.

,In the third embodiment, :the :sleeve element is omitted and the bodyelement2222is provided with two internal projections 218 and i219. The projections 218 and 219 are preferably in Ethe form of "inwardly extending annular ribs.

The projection 218 serves as a front stop for the filter element 226 'while the projection 219 acts as :a rear stop for the rear end 254 of the cigarette 228. These projections therefore define the mixing chamber 274 into which fresh air is admitted by the orifice 272.

"In "the form shown on Figure the filter element is preferablyremoved in -a rearward direction by using a :stiiilf pointed instrument such as a .match stick or PQRC The body may be composed of any suitable material, including paper, cork, metal, plastic, etc. Furthermore the body 222 may be integral with the cigarette wrapper or may be formed by an extension thereof.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A cigarette holder comprising: a body element having a support member :projecting from one end thereof, and a sleeve element disposed about said body element, and shiftable therealong; said "body element "having a groove disposed upon the outer surface thereof, said groove having a first portion, the axis-of which is parallel to the axis of said body element, and a second portion disposed at an angle with respect to said first portion, said sleeve element having a projection disposed on the inner surface thereof engageable in said groove,

whereby said sleeve element may be moved axially with respect to said body element from a telescoped position to an extended position and rotated about, the axis thereo'f to lock said sleeve elementin extended position; said body element having means to limit the inward move ment of a cigarette'within said sleeve, and a first opening for the admission of ,air to a mixing chamber disposed within said body element and rearwardly of said last mentioned means;-said sleeve element in the extended position thereof having the major portion thereof extending beyond said last mentioned means and cooperating with said support member to maintain a cigarette in an'engaged position with said holder; and said sleeve element having a second opening therein positioned to align with said first opening in said body element when said sleeve element is in an extended position with respect to said body element, rotation of said sleeve element with respect to said body element servingto control the flow of air through said first and second openings into said chamber.

2. A cigarette holder'comprising: a body element having a support member projecting from one end thereof, and a sleeve element disposed about said body element, and shiftable therealong; said body element having a groove disposed upon the outer surface thereof, said groove having a first portion, the axis of which is .parallel to the axis of said body element, and a second portion disposed at an angle with respect to said first portion, said sleeve element having a projection disposed on the inner-surface thereof engageable in said groove, whereby said sleeve element may be moved axially with respect to said body element from a telescoped position to an extended position and rotated about the axis-thereof to lock said sleeve element in extended position; said body element'having means to limit 'the inward movement of a cigarette within said sleeve, and a first opening for the admission of air to a mixing chamber disposed within said body element and rearwardly of said last mentioned means; said sleeve element in the extended'position'thereof having the major portion thereof extending beyond said last'mentioned means and coopcrating with'said support member to maintain a cigarette in an engaged position with said holder; said sleeve element having a second opening therein positioned to align with said first opening in said body element when said sleeve element is in ,an extended position with respect to saidbodyelement, rotation of said sleeve element-with respect to said body element serving to control thefiow of air'through said first and second openings into said chambers; and a filter disposed within said chamber and rearwardly of said first and second opening.

References :Cited in the file of this patent .:STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 732,252 Assman June 3.0, 1903 882,825 Heald "Mar. 24, 19.08

1,630,243 Rosan, May24, 1927 1,974,242 Jordan, LII/$12 a1. Sept. 18, '1934 1,997,629 Collver Apr. 16, 1935 (Other references ton following .page) 5 V UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Number Name Date Number. Country Date 2,203,864 Friedman June 11, 1940 15,288 Great Britain 1905 2,258,823 Tarrant Oct. 14, 1941 5 15,437 Great Britain 1911 Germany May 27, 1939 2,607,354 Wilson Aug. 19, 1952 675,143 

